Rose Moniak

Rose Ann Moniak of Littleton, Colorado passed away peacefully on February 17, 2021, after a brief illness. She was 90 years old.  She was the wife of the late Donald V. Moniak.

Rose was born March 23, 1930 in Boston, Massachusetts as Rosa Coronella. She was the youngest of seven children in the family of Natale and Josephine Coronella, originally from Sicily, Italy. She grew up in Boston’s “West End.” Following graduation from St. Peter and Paul High School in South Boston, Rose enrolled in Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital School of Nursing. She began her nursing career at Massachusetts General Hospital before moving to Detroit, Michigan, where she met Don. They were married in Boston on April 24, 1954.

Rose and Don lived in Detroit for two years and she continued her nursing career there. After they moved to Woburn, Mass. in 1956, she began working at Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital in Brighton and remained there until she retired from nursing in 1986. She brought the essence of nursing into her care and concern for the wellbeing of her family, friends, and acquaintances. Caring for young mothers and their newborn babies in the maternity ward was the highlight of her career. 

In 1964, Rose and Don settled in Billerica, Mass. where they lived until all seven of their children graduated from high school. They attended St. Theresa’s Catholic Church and enjoyed time in the summer at family campgrounds in northern New England.

In 1992, Rose and Don moved to Littleton, Colo. to be closer to three of their daughters. Rose’s love of children led her to first volunteer and then be hired as a teacher’s aide at Mortensen Elementary School in Littleton. They settled comfortably into their new church community of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, where Rose was an active member of the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary Council and the parish’s senior group Silver Stands. She was a strong advocate for Jefferson County victim’s assistance programs through the nonprofit Victim Outreach Incorporated for which she was a top fundraiser for its annual Courage Walk. She was also a volunteer at Littleton Life Care Center.

Rose’s personal life was dedicated to Don and their seven children, and over time their eleven grandchildren brought a new level of joy (and more people to enjoy her beloved meatballs and chicken soup). Within her family and beyond, she was often sought after for advice about healthcare and raising children and as the keeper of many cherished memories and special dates. She loved creating birthday and anniversary cards, sending hundreds every year. She also appreciated the powerful beauty of Colorado’s mountains which she and Don explored together.

After Don passed away in April 2017 (just a few days before their 63rd wedding anniversary), Rose moved to Concordia on the Lake, a senior living community in Littleton, where she treasured her many new friendships and her balcony view of the foothills and sunsets.

Rose is survived by her seven children; Steve Moniak, Cambridge, Mass.; Rich Moniak, Juneau, Alaska; Jo Edmondson, Paonia, Colo.; Don (Karen) Moniak, Aiken, S.C.; Ginny (Tom) Bank, Boulder, Colo.; Julie (Steve) Bunch, Berthoud, Colo.; and Christine (Tom) Day, Boulder, Colo.; 11 grandchildren (Michael, Ed, Tyber, Tracy, Jessie, Marisa, Mattias, Marcos, Autumn, Abby and Kevin); and one great-grandchild (Nathaniel). She is also survived by her sister Mary Lattanzi of Billerica, Mass.; her late brothers’ wives: Gina Coronella (Victor), Phyllis Coronella (Joseph), Teresa Coronella (Salvatore) and Alice Coronella (John); and 17 nieces and nephews.

Rose will be dearly missed by her family, loving friends, and the children who thought of her as their adopted grandmother.

The Funeral Mass will be at held for Rose at 10:30 a.m., April 15, 2021, at St. Frances Cabrini Parish, 6673 W Chatfield Ave, Littleton, Colo.

In addition, a rosary Service for Rose will be held at Horan & McConaty Funeral Center in Lakewood, Colo. on April 14, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and space restrictions, attendance will be by invitation only.

Both services will be live-streamed for virtual attendance.

Rose's ashes will be buried alongside her late husband’s at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 4400 W Kenyon Ave, Denver, Colo. in a family service following the mass.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Rose A. Moniak may be made to: Victim Outreach Incorporated, PO Box 18941, Golden, CO 80402; PH: 303-202-2196; Online:  https://www.victimoutreach.org